Paul E. Jackson graduated from Glenville State College and returned to his alma mater, Parkersburg South High School, to teach and coach under Rod Oldham, who received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the West Virginia Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Jackson was very fortunate to have Oldham for a mentor and friend.

Jackson later earned his master's degree from West Virginia University, and became head wrestling coach at Parkersburg South, where he amassed an impressive record. In 1995, his team was ranked 20th in the nation. Jackson's dual meet record was 325-56, including 115 consecutive wins and 56 tournament wins.

During his tenure, Jackson produced 26 individual state champions and 130 state place-winners. Under Jackson's direction, Parkersburg South won 9 West Virginia state championship which is the record of any AAA coach. He was honored seven times as AAA Wrestling Coach of the Year.

With his hard work and success, Jackson has been honored with several awards, including the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2011 and being a finalist for the Bill Van Horne Coach of the Year Award in 2010, 2011, and 2012. He was honored as the West Virginia High School Coach of the Year in 2012, and as the National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholastic Division Coach of the Year in 1997 and in 2011. He was inducted into the Mid-Ohio Valley Hall of Fame in 2015.

Paul and his wife, Rose, live in Belleville, West Virginia, where he recently retired from teaching and coaching. They are the parents of a daughter, Dixi Gathman (Trevor), and have two lovely granddaughters, Miah and Anna. Their son, Jeremiah is deceased.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors Paul Jackson with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award as a member of the Class of 2015.